Yesterday, I was strolling through Wal-Mart with my buggy when I received a text message from one of my best friendboy’s mothers. She explained someone told her I was getting married. The message put a smile on my face as I thought, oh lawd, this person has read my blog. One would think I had a groomie on my hands as much as I talk about love, weddings and babies. They probably even think I’m knocked up. So, please let me set the record straight. Every family gathering, my cousin Randy asks me the same question, “Where is he?” This year was no different, and neither was my answer, “Oh, there’s no boy.” I purposely position myself within his realm, so I will be asked the question. It’s almost as if I dread the day I say “Here he is.” I can just picture the scene. “Ugh. I just pushed him in the dumpster. He’s pilfering his way through the trash. He may or may not make it out.” Oh me oh my. I’ve never found anyone I wanted to introduce to my family as my boyfriend. And to be honest, I’m not searching. I know I talk about a romantic future, but the truth of the matter is I like being single. There are two questions I am asked in conversations. Do you have a job and do you have a boyfriend? Well, the job question I do not like, because I am still searching and interviewing, and I wish I could work at the Café forever, but I never avoid the boyfriend question, because I love my answer. Maybe it is selfishness or maybe it is contentment. A life fully dedicated to Christ without the distraction of a husband and wife relationship, I’m down with that. Of course I want children and to be dressed in white at the First Baptist Church, but I am satisfied with Anna Margaret and playing the role of a bridesmaid. I love attending parties by myself. The independent rush I get as I walk through the front door and greet the crowd, its like I am on American Idol. It pulls me out of my comfort zone, and I am forced to talk to people who I would have otherwise never introduced myself to. The thought of a boyfriend tagging along and me hoping he can talk to my friends and family isn’t very appealing. I tell people I love the single life, but then I have to explain that my single life isn’t the typical style. I’m not hooking up and hanging out. I’m spending the afternoon at the library reading and writing and taking pictures of the sunset on my days off at the Café. I have no idea what God has in store for my life. Next week I may have a blog entitled, “Oh, How the Tables Turn” that explains that God has allowed a boy to enter my life, and I don’t want him to exit. Or maybe ten years from now, I will be saying, “Yep, knew it.” There is no way I could predict the future. It’s God’s faithfulness and promise that gets me through. So this weekend, I will attend a wedding shower for Kaci and a birthday party for Eli by myself, and maybe I will be asked the question, “Where’s your boyfriend?” But for right now, I like things the way they are, me and God, and I am not looking for anyone who will rock the boat.
I really have appreciated the blind dates you have arranged. There is nothing I love more than meeting new people. Anyone who will listen to me for a few hours, well, lets line them up. They have also been really great for my Facebook friend count!
Amanda predicted correctly when she said there would be another Anna Margaret Blog soon, since I have just returned from a few days in Auburn. The thing I love most about my relationship with my 5 year-old, blue eyed, blonde cousin is I can love her and not hold back. When I say I Love You, and she doesn’t say anything back, it doesn’t matter. My feelings won’t be hurt, and they are not going to change. Anna Margaret warms my heart. There is nothing like pulling in Derek and Rebecca’s driving way and having Anna Margaret burst out of the front door and run into my arms. On Monday afternoon we tooled around town having lunch at Big Blue Bagel and shopping at my favorite stores Wrapsody and Simply Charming. So after we said goodbye to Amanda and left downtown, I thought I would introduce A.M. to my newest hobby, the library. Yes, I know, as a student, it was the last place I wanted to be, but now as a graduate, I am so intrigued by literature, so I visit my hometown public library quite frequently. I was hoping to get her a library card, but as it turns out, a guardian had to be with her. I probably could have pulled them, oh that’s me card, but I trust that Rebecca or Derek will handle the situation at a later date. So, after we were denied the card, we decided to take a tour of the Library. Anna Margaret loves books, so we chose one book at time, I would read, and she would look as we sat in chairs that forced my knees into my face. After a few books, we decided to entertain ourselves at the Lego’s table. There, we spent the rest of the afternoon. I love Lego’s because I never know what I am going to make until I decide to stop and let my imagination take charge as I take a good look at the finished product. At the table, Anna Margaret sat across from me and beside her was a little boy. I started talking to him, and I learned that his name was Elvin. Elvin then proceeded to ask me if I had a boyfriend. In my mind, I am thinking, great, has it really come to this. A five-year-old is hitting on me! I replied to Elvin’s question with a no, and as I pointed to Anna Margaret I said “…and she’s single too.”
Loads to Thank!
Amanda: I am craving your Key Lime Cookies, and I don’t know how I made it eighteen years without you.
“Mine and Chasley’s relationship began when we were both babies in The First Baptist Church Learning Center” were the words I heard as the friendship between Mary Jeanne and me was shared with our high school. There I was, standing in front of students, teachers and parents with tears running down my cheeks. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it were not for her. The Mary Jeanne and Chas snap shots are countless as field trips and family vacations are recorded in my scrapbooks. Mary Jeanne was the pink friend, and I was the blue friend. It never failed, she was pretty and preppy as she portrayed Kelly while I was stuck imitating Zach Morris or Jessie Spano. She always had the best dresses, the latest Nintendo 64 game and a Madame Alexander doll collection that would make Candy Spelling jealous. I know she will always be there, because she has always been by my side through everything. In our senior year of high school, Mary Jeanne was there for me when my grandfather passed away. She was the first friend to call, the first friend to visit me at my grandmother’s house and the friend who stayed with me after the funeral. Among my bridesmaids, there is no way I could choose one girl to be my Maid of Honor. I want them to be arranged in the order of how long I have known them. Well, Mary Jeanne will be standing right beside me at the altar, since we have been together since we were both babies in The First Baptist Church Learning Center.
I admire people who are comically confident.
Please know that I do not nor do I think I totally comprehend God’s love. He teaches me daily, hourly and minute-by-minute as I cling tightly to His word. God’s love is perfect.
Obviously, People’s photographers are reading Chasleyland. With a Chanel bag in her hand and newly purchased Louis Vuitton in his hand, they are hand in hand after leaving dinner at the Tate.
I would like to make an announcement that surprisingly enough, I do not own the stuffed animal that is tightly gripped by Jessica’s toddler. I’m growing up so fast! Honor, you better pick up the pace.
Today, Emily Harmon will be packing her new car, leaving her college town behind, driving to the northeast area of Alabama and pulling in the driveway of 2939. I have been anxiously awaiting her arrival. As well as my family and hometown friends, I have told everyone I can of her visit to Scottsboro, and I have even scheduled her a few dates. She has been well prepared for, as she will be receiving a larger closet than me that is equipped with two windows that overlook our front yard and the scene of many summer memories. She’s been reminding me that I will no longer rule the household as she rolls into town. I was talking to Em, telling her how amazing her time here was going to be. People will see us running around town, buying groceries at Wal-Mart and eating at my local favorites. She is going to meet so many new people. But then, I had a terrible thought. Around here, the closest I have ever come to a boy was a date to the prom. Chasley Bellomy and boyfriends do not exist. So, my horrible prediction was friends and friends of the family would see me out and say, “I saw that Bellomy girl today, with a…. girl.” NOOOO!!
AHHHHHHHHH!!! And then, after I throw those words in his face, I am sure he will be Goo Goo Gah Gah, bend on one knee and ask me one simple question that will turn my world upside down! Call me a romantic, because I am hopeless and a outrageously ridiculous. Readers, thank you for putting up with me, and one day, maybe one day, a boy will want to do the same, but until then and tomorrow, I will leave you with… “If you like her, and she makes you happy, and you feel like you know her---then don’t let her go.”-Message in a Bottle
I was practicing my designer inspired attitude when said to a boy, “Don’t mess with me, because I am a backwoods girl, and I have people who come out of the woodwork and hunt you down. “ My statement was confirmed the other day by a family friend when he said, “Chas, if anyone were to every mistreat you, you just let me know.” I seriously contemplated giving him an address. This man’s last name is Core, and you better believe he is bad to the bone.
Rick has a special place in my heart. We ride around town in his jeep with the windows down while listening to the Grateful Dead, and if my family or I haven’t seen him in a few days, I get a little worried, and I ask my mother to make a “check-up” phone call. Rick knows my routine, and he laughs as he says, “Oh Chas, if you haven’t seen or heard from me in a couple days, you think I am in jail!”
I LOVE IT ALL!!
Purple Bridesmaids Dresses
Fireworks Show
Richard Tyler Gowns
Ashford Castle
Bag Pipes and Kilts
A Midsummer Night’s Dream meets The Secret Garden
Bouquet of Lillie of the Valley
Ballintubber Abbey
Hydrangeias, Delphiniums and Roses
Ireland
It’s the reason I want my reception at my house, it’s the reason my dad and I still play basketball in our driveway, and it’s the reason I studied abroad and came back to the States with a fiancé. Well, that last part isn’t true, but wouldn’t I have made an amazing Annie Banks!
Most people are surprised to hear that my mother could care less about David Yurman and Prada, because most of the time a girl learns from her mother, but not me, I learned from my aunt. She has always gone above and beyond, wanting the best for me, and she is the sister I never had. My last week in Auburn, Rebecca had arranged for me to meet her for dinner. I was told that she would be with someone who she wanted me to meet, a good connection she described.The days leading up to the dinner, I was searching his name on Google and messaging her about what I should wear. I walked into Amsterdam’s Café, and noticed a table full of my friends and Rebecca sitting in the middle of them.Surprise! Not only does Rebecca go out of her way for me, but for others as well.Two football seasons ago, my grandmother’s neighbor was battling cancer. Every Iron Bowl, I remember her yard being festively decorated with orange and blue.As Ms. Roberts celebrated her last birthday, Rebecca had Tommy Tuberville call her to wish her a very special day. My entire life she has been there for me, making every moment special, so as she planned her August wedding, I was there every opportunity I could be, but this wasn’t unusual because wherever Rebecca went, so did I. I was there as she talked a police officer out of giving her a speeding ticket while driving to look for a wedding dress, I was there as she selected her china at the Wimberly House and I was there as she sealed her wedding invitations in the envelopes. I remember when she picked out her veil. We were at my grandmother’s house, and Rebecca was teaching me how to straighten my hair, but for some reason, we had to stop in the middle of the process. There we were at Ms. Gross’ shop trying on wedding veils. Rebecca was critiquing herself in the mirror as I stood by her side. After a few minutes of staring at her, I decided to look at myself, but I noticed something oddly familiar, and it reminded of black and white and 101. Cruella De Vil was staring back at me. There I was, one side of my hair was straight as a board while the other side resembled something similar to cotton candy. Still to this day, I don’t know why we cut the beauty shop time short, but I know who got the short end of the deal.
Badgley Mischka
Thread
Perfect Endings
Wolfgang Puck
Mark’s Garden
Neil Lane
Mindy Weiss
“The Great Gatsby" and Old Hollywood
Jay, it was an event fit for Daisy. Great Party.
Next week, I have “Big Day” plans for Chasleyland. Being the wedding fanatic that I am, I am going to list my top five nuptials of all time. Since it is the week before Valentine’s Day, I thought it would put us all in the bow and arrow spirit in hopes that Cupid will hit the bull’s eye. Em asked me if I had big plans for Valentine’s Day this year. I remembered last year that I had spent the evening with Rebecca and Anna Margaret at an Auburn basketball game, and when I returned to Creekside for the night, Jordon and I watched one of our favorite tear jerker’s. This year will be no different. I will be celebrating the day in Auburn with Rebecca and Anna Margaret, and there is no one I would rather be with on the designated day of love. Derek, I promise we’ll invite you next year. So head over heels and out of the park, that’s the way, I will say, we are about to embark on a week of I Do and I will cherish you!
I was packing for Memphis when I had a call from Danielle. Her greeting was a giveaway of her excited mood. I rambled about why I was going to Memphis, why I had waited until the last minute to pack and why I could not find anything to wear for the weekend. When I finally caught my breath I said, anyways, enough about me, what about you? She said, I’m engaged! I started screaming immediately. I was so honored that I was one of the first to be called. After I talked to her a few minutes about the details of the engagement, Danielle gave Court the phone. I told him that he totally surprised me because I thought that they would for sure have a New Year’s engagement. He said that it was something that he had been praying about for the past weeks, and that everything was on God’s timing. As I listened to his story, it was so refreshing to hear that he had placed everything in God’s hands. I am so excited about their wedding, and I can’t wait to walk down the aisle moments before Danielle with the sand between my toes. Danielle and I grew up together at First Baptist, and she is one of the girls that I have always looked to for Christian encouragement. She is such a Godly girl, and I have always admired her sweet spirit and caring words. I have gotten to know Court over the past few months, and I am so thankful that he has been placed on my path. I had to keep the engagement a secret for a few weeks so Danielle could have her candlelight, but now I can finally tell the world, COURT and DANIELLE ARE ENGAGED!
Mary Jeanne: "Hellllloooo!! What you are you doing?"
To celebrate my single digit birthday’s, it was tradition for my grandmother and grandfather to take me to Wal-Mart, so I could choose a gift. Every year, I would select a poster that reflected an interest of the past 365 days. My most cherished poster is the country heartthrob, Billy Ray Cyrus. My family always said I had the Cyrus Virus, because I had a crush on him the size of Texas. Achy Breaky Heart was my favorite song, and it reminds me of the rides in my cousin’s car. I always wanted Monica to babysit me because she went to prom with my childhood crush, Chad Holland, she cheered for the Wildcats at Trammel Stadium and she wore my favorite lip-gloss. We would ride in her car, and I always requested a specific country cassette. I never sold my Billy Ray poster in a yard sale, because he is an important memory from my childhood. So for Emily’s birthday two years ago, I wanted to give her something she could remember forever. As our friendship formed, I quickly learned her favorite movie was My Best Friend’s Wedding, so from there, I look the initiative to order the 27 x 40 poster from Amazon. My grandmother owns a frame shop, and we had a few phone discussions to decide the proper outline for Julia Roberts. Rebecca brought Julia and all her glory back to Auburn the weekend before Emily’s birthday, and when I went to her house on Norwood Avenue I was shocked to see the size the gift. Julia and I fought our way down the hall of Berta Dunn, and Jordon helped me position her onto Em’s bed while she was in class. Julia is our very own Mona Lisa. Jordon, Annie, Emily and I wished Julia a goodnight as we crawled into bed, we placed her in the window for display, and we had big plans of driving her around town. To me, Julia represents our wonderful year on the ADPi Hall. We were members of a 24-hour slumber party, and it wasn’t unusual for our President to knock on the door and issue a strict, be quite. The poster reminds me of mine and Annie’s late night talks in the bathroom, Jordon’s cravings for Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tarts and Em’s In-Flu-Enza nightgown and slightly broken eyeglasses. So today, not only do we have Groundhog’s Day to celebrate, but we also have Emily Harmon’s birthday to celebrate. Here’s to you Em, thanks for allowing me to be the person I am, thanks for loving me unconditionally and thanks for always being there for me. You love the Lord and your life exemplifies His character. You are joyful, uplifting and of course, down to earth. So from Julia and me, good morning Emily and Happy Birthday.
